![Kim Yong, former deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, speaks during a media briefing at the National Assembly on the 13th. He was taken into custody during trial on allegations of receiving money from figures tied to the Daejang-dong group and was released on bail last year. [Photo: Yonhap]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/04/28/20260428111524925636.jpg)
Kim Yong, former deputy director of the Democratic Research Institute, said on the 28th that he “accepts the party’s decision with a heavy heart” after the Democratic Party’s strategic nomination for the upcoming by-election was scrapped, but urged supporters to back the party and “declare a firm resolve to end the aftermath of an insurrection” through the vote.
Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly that afternoon, Kim said he would respect the party’s deliberations and “strategic judgment” and would “serve without rank.”
“If my sacrifice becomes a foundation for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government and the Democratic Party’s victory, I will step aside gladly,” he said.
Kim again claimed prosecutors had brought a fabricated case against him and said he would fight it to the end.
“The indictment against me is clearly a fabrication by political prosecutors and a petty political retaliation,” Kim said. “If I collapse here, it will set a precedent that a manipulated investigation can win.” He added, “I will not stop, and I will prove it to the end. I will break the prosecution’s fabricated indictment and devote myself from the lowest place for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government.”
Kim also thanked his supporters and asked for backing for the June 3 local elections and the by-elections.
“Because there are party members who believe in my innocence, I am not alone,” he said. “As a comrade standing by your side, I will start again.” He again called on voters to “declare a firm resolve to end the aftermath of an insurrection” and to “declare a great leap forward for South Korea.”
Kim had signaled his intention to run in the Gyeonggi Province area starting with a media briefing on the 13th.
About 60 lawmakers within the party were reported to have urged Kim’s nomination, and the leadership was said to be weighing whether to nominate him.
But on the 27th, the party’s strategic nomination committee decided not to nominate him, citing concerns it could affect the by-election, leaving Kim unable to run.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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